Speaking on this occasion, Rudy said that RCL is moving ahead with the inspiration of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During his highly popular radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’, PM had expressed his deep concerns about food security and food wastage calling it not only a serious social issue, but also terming it as sheer indifference towards the society and injustice to the poor. In this context, Shri Rudy praised the ‘Hunger Free Bharat Mission’, which is playing an important role in preventing food wastage and providing food to the needy.

RCL founder Arvind Kumar informed that eight teams are participating in the 2025 edition of the league supported by reputed Indian brands. Representing the diverse culinary culture of India, Team Andhra Pradesh Mirchies is represented by Molecule Air Bar, Team Delhi Daawats is represented by Bikanervala, Team Gujarat Dhoklas is represented by Balaji Wafers, Team Jammu & Kashmir Kahwas is represented by Nathu Sweets, Team Maharashtra Modak is represented by Mansh Bakelogy, Team Rajasthan Daal Baati is represented by Jaipur Adda, Team Uttar Pradesh Kachauris is represented by the Constitution Club of India, and Team Uttarakhand Gulthiaz is represented by Belle-La Monde Hotels. Abhishek Bhatnagar said that two special charity matches will be organized on 17th February, featuring celebrity chefs & leading social media influencers highlighting the shared responsibility of all Indians to address critical issues like hunger and food wastage. By turning every boundary into a step toward a better tomorrow, 100 nutritious meals will be thoughtfully provided to those in need for every 10 runs scored at RCL!

Highlighting that food insecurity and malnutrition are among the most serious challenges facing the world today, former union minister Shri Rudy said that RCL 2025 will create a powerful legacy-one where cricket not only entertains but also empowers, unites, and drives meaningful change for a better and sustainable future.

The league is supported by 17 socially influential personalities including Olympic Medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, Celebrity Chef and Master-Chef India winner Chef Shipra Khanna & 36 popular social media influencers. Together with its’ Social Impact Partner The Adi Bodh Foundation, RCL is dedicated to the Hunger Free Bharat Mission – a transformative national initiative that aims to address the complex dimensions of hunger and food security through a multi- pronged strategies whilst supporting the PM’s vision of Viksit Bharat & United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 of Zero Hunger by 2030. RCL Founders Arvind Kumar and Abhishek Bhatnagar jointly stated that The Restaurant Cricket League (RCL) is an annual men’s T10 cricket league founded in 2023 with an aim to raise awareness on food security, reduce wastage & facilitate creation of food banks – ensuring free access to safe, hygienic & adequate food for the needy sections of the society. Themed “Serving Change, Delivering Impact and Uniting Communities”, the 3rd edition of RCL is not just another cricket league, but a true symbol of social revolution.

Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Kamlesh Paswan, MP & former Union Ministers Rajiv Shukla, Smriti Zubin Irani & Anurag Singh Thakur, Sanjay Kumar Jha, former MP Malook Nagar and many other national leaders are confirmed to grace the Restaurant Cricket League 2025 during 17th to 22nd February.

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The two-day congregation will set the stage for some intriguing discussions and conversations led by industry experts and new-age entrepreneurs to uncover the collaborative disruptions made by the industry over the years. One of the largest B2B events will be hosting the end-to-end of food business enablement – from product sourcing, and retail tech innovation trends to grocery retailing & food service best practices.

The event will be led by Damodar Mall (CEO – Grocery, Reliance Retail), as Chairman, India Food Forum – Food Retail, and Chef Manjit Singh Gill, President, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA), as its Chairman, HoReCa Convention.

The mega business event will connect participants through deliberations on some gripping topics such as transforming supply chains with technology, collaborative strategies for the phygital growth era, mastering the cycle of food entrepreneurship and much more. With an impressive lineup of presentations, fireside chats and panel discussions, the conference will host 500+ brands, 100+ exhibitors, 300+ industry experts and 3000+ attendees for an endearing experience.

Commenting on the 17th edition of the India Food Forum, Nikhil Behl, CEO – Food Business, IMAGES Group shared, “The world over, we are seeing the powerful outcomes that result when food brands, retailers and HoReCa businesses collaborate to not just push consumption, but also to spotlight product innovation, better diets and consumer health. Throughout its history, India Food Forum has been the hub where many game-changing partnerships have been launched, and this focus on collaboration is our central mission this year. ”

Among the 300+ speakers at India Food Forum 2024 are: Aastha Almast (CEO & Co-founder, The New Shop), Abhishek Bindal (COO, Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality), Ajay Thandi (Co-founder, Sleepy Owl Coffee), Amir Majali (Founder & CEO, TruFalafel, Karak Enterprises), Amrut Mehta (Director, The Little Italy Group), Amrish Arora (MD, Fountain Hospitality), Ankit Patel (CEO, The Belgian Waffle), Anju Srivastava (Founder & CEO, Wingreen Farms), Anuj Singh (MD & CEO, Spencer’s Retail), Anurag Katriar (Founder & CMD, Indigo Hospitality), Dr. AK Tyagi (ED, Haldiram’s), Harpreet Tibb (Promoter, Tibbs Frankie), Lalit Jhawar (Co-founder & COO, Food Square), Sairam Krishna (COO, Instamart Swiggy), Saurabh Kalra (MD, McDonald’s India – West & South), and Murali Krishnan (Co-founder & CMO, Wow! Momo Foods), among others.

Other highlights include Future Forward Brands felicitation ceremony, the Star Progressive Grocers honours, the annual Coca-Cola Golden Spoon Awards and Pepsi IMAGES Food Service Awards celebrations.

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